Crash of a Gulfstream G200 in Tegucigalpa

Date & Time: May 22, 2018 at 1119 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N813WM
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Austin – Tegucigalpa
MSN:
54
YOM:
2001
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5400
Aircraft flight hours:
5299
Circumstances:
On final approach to runway 02, the copilot informed the captain about the fact that the approach speed was too high by 20 knots to the reference speed. The captain replied he would correct this but the airplane landed too far down runway 02, about 993 metres before the end of the runway which is 2,010 metres long but with a displaced threshold, giving a landing distance available of 1,700 metres. Upon touchdown, the aircraft's speed was 142 knots, about 14 knots above the speed reference according to existing conditions and weight and balance. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, went down an embankment, crossed a road and came to rest against a second embankment, broken in two. All six occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Owned by TVPX, it was operated by Silver Air.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the followings:
- The crew completed an approach at a speed higher than the reference speed for weight and balance specified in the aircraft checklist,
- Lack of specific information on the length of the runway at Toncontín International Airport by the crew for the approach to runway 02, when landing almost halfway down the runway leaving little distance for effective braking of the systems,
- A late activation of the thrust reverser systems about 0:13 seconds after touchdown was considered as a contributing factor,
- Existing weather conditions were not considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Plan de La Laguna: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 2012 at 1125 LT
Operator:
Registration:
TG-JAB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Pedro Sula - Tegucigalpa
MSN:
500-3303
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the twin engine aircraft was flying low when it impacted tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located in Plan de La Laguna, in the Comayagua National Park. Both occupants were killed.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP-E20 near Tegucigalpa: 14 killed

Date & Time: Feb 14, 2011 at 0802 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HR-AUQ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
San Pedro Sula - Tegucigalpa
MSN:
91 26 03
YOM:
1991
Flight number:
CAA731
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Captain / Total flying hours:
15300
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4810
Aircraft flight hours:
5153
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed San Pedro Sula-Ramon Villeda Morales Airport at 0704LT on a 40-minute flight to Tegucigalpa, carrying 12 passengers and two pilots. After being cleared to descend to 9,000 feet for an approach to runway 20, the crew informed ATC he was initiating a go-around procedure for unknown reasons. Few minutes later, the aircraft was cleared for an approach to runway 02. On approach in marginal weather conditions in a full flaps down configuration, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area located 12 km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all 14 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
1) Weather conditions existing at the time of the event, during the approach to the runway the aircraft was operated slightly above the stall speed and a major change in wind speed could cause a stall. The altitude at which the windshear occurred, and the reaction time of the pilot and the responsiveness of the aircraft determined whether the descent could be arrested in time to avoid an accident.
2) No published descent procedures were performed, possibly misinterpretation of Flight Instruments (altimeter, airspeed indicator).
3) During the descent to the VOR/DME for runway 20 and 02, the pilot in command (PIC) did not check his approach chart, and did not continually consult the first officer on the altitude and course.
4) There was no adequate communication between crew; deficient CRM (No approach briefing was made for any of the two approaches).
5) The aircraft was configured for landing with flaps fully down (flap 42) at a very long distance from the track without having it in sight. It is noteworthy that the aircraft will not respond to an adverse condition windshear as it appeared at that time with such a configuration. It should be noted that in both approaches it is mandatory to perform a 'circling' procedure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Tegucigalpa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 2010 at 1405 LT
Operator:
Registration:
TG-JYM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tegucigalpa – La Mesa
MSN:
421B-0403
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Three minutes after takeoff from Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed few km from the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Crash of an Airbus A320-233 in Tegucigalpa: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 30, 2008 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EI-TAF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
San Salvador – Tegucigalpa – Miami
MSN:
1374
YOM:
2000
Flight number:
TA390
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
118
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
11899
Captain / Total hours on type:
8514.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1607
Copilot / Total hours on type:
250
Aircraft flight hours:
21957
Aircraft flight cycles:
9992
Circumstances:
A TACA Airlines Airbus A320, flight TA390, with Irish Registry EI-TAF, with 135 passengers and crew on board, overran at the end of the runway during landing at Tegucigalpa caused the deaths of three people on board and two on the ground. The government of Honduras delegated the conduct of investigation to the Salvadoran Civil Aviation Authorities, as provided for in Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention. In accordance with international agreements, France sent two investigators from the BEA (Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses), accompanied by five technical advisors from Airbus; United States sent two investigators from the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), accompanied by one advisor from FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and one technical Advisor from IAE (International Aero Engine); and Ireland sent one investigator. Both flight recorders (CVR and DFDR) were recovered and taken to the NTSB in order to perform the read out. The following data result from the analysis done by the BEA and Airbus of the accident recorders, which have been processed within the NTSB facilities under the leadership of the in-charge Authorities. It is confirmed that the aircraft was dispatched without any deferred MEL item. Prior to landing, the wind information given by the ATC to the crew was 190°/10kt and ATC also confirmed that the runway was wet. The Captain was the Pilot Flying (PF). Landing configuration was established with Slats/Flaps fully extended, gear down, ground spoilers armed, autobrake selected to MED. The aircraft landing weight was 63.5t (max landing weight 64.5t), Vapp 137kt. The aircraft was cleared to land on runway 02 and landed with Autopilot and Flight Directors OFF, and autothrust engaged in managed speed mode. At time of touch down, IAS was 139kt and Ground Speed (GS) was 159kt (estimated tailwind was 12kt from DFDR data analysis). The aircraft landed on runway 02 (Runway 02 is 3297 feet high and has a displaced threshold of 213m). The Landing Distance Available (LDA) for runway 02 is of 1649m. The touch down occurred at approximately 400m from the runway 02 displaced threshold. Immediately after touchdown, the crew selected MAX REV, and both engine reversers and the Ground Spoilers (G/S) deployed normally. The nosewheel touch down occurred 7s after the Main Landing Gear (MLG) following PF inputs. The crew applied manual braking 4s after MLG touch down and commanded maximum pedal braking in 10s (14s after MLG touch down). At 70 knots Indicated Airspeed Speed (IAS), upon Pilot Non Flying (PNF) call-out, the PF selected IDLE REV. The remaining distance to the runway end was approximately 190m. The aircraft overran the runway at 54kt and dropped down the 20 m embankment sustaining severe damage on impact with the ground. The landing performance analysis confirms that the landing performances are consistent with runway condition and crew actions.
Probable cause:
Contributing factors:
- Wrong approach configuration,
- Excessive speed upon landing,
- The aircraft landed too far down the runway with a tailwind component,
- On approach, the crew failed to recalculate the aircraft weight for landing and the landing distance,
- The non precision approach was completed in poor weather conditions, which increased the cockpit crew workload,
- The absence of a stopping zone at the end of runway 02 contributed to the severity of the occurrence,
- The runway surface was wet and not equipped with a water drainage system, which reduced the braking coefficient.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo B in Tegucigalpa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1998 at 0730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
YS-14C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Guatemala City – Tegucigalpa
MSN:
31-7300940
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While approaching Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport runway 01 in IMC conditions, the aircraft descended too low and crashed 10 km short of runway at an altitude of 5,325 feet. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. The minimum altitude for the approach at the crash site is 6,700 feet. After crossing the 5 DME fix, a flight can descend to 5,200 feet.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach at an insufficient altitude until the aircraft impacted ground.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules in Tegucigalpa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
88-4408
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Milwaukee – Tegucigalpa – Howard AFB
MSN:
5161
YOM:
1989
Country:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Milwaukee-General Billy Mitchell Airport on a flight to Howard AFB, Panama City, with an intermediate stop in Tegucigalpa, carrying 10 crew members and a load consisting of foods and electronics. At Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport, the aircraft landed 2,000 feet past the runway threshold in a 50° flaps down configuration. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran and crashed on a road and a bridge, bursting into flames. Three crew members were killed and seven others were injured.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2H6 in Managua

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1993 at 1930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N401SH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tegucigalpa - Managua - San José
MSN:
20584
YOM:
1972
Flight number:
SH415
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
88
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Managua-Augusto Cesar Sandino Airport was completed in poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. On short final, the captain got distracted by lightning striking the ground to the right of the airplane. Then the aircraft landed nose first, causing it to be partially torn off. The aircraft bounced, veered off runway to the right and came to rest 45 metres to the right of the runway. All 94 occupants evacuated safely, except a crew member who was seriously injured.

Crash of a Boeing 737-2K6 in San José

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EI-CBL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tegucigalpa-Managua-San José
MSN:
20957
YOM:
1974
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
36
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The copilot was the pilot-in-command on approach to runway 07 at San José-Juan Santamaría Airport. On final approach, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility due to fog and was unable to locate the runway and its lighting system. On short final, the captain realized that the aircraft was not properly aligned on the glide and took over controls. He attempted to correct the trajectory but the unstable aircraft continued to descend and landed to the right of the runway. The aircraft rolled for about 1,500 metres when it struck a drainage ditch. Both main landing gears were torn off and the aircraft came to rest on its belly in a grassy area. All 42 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The following factors were reported:
- Poor approach planning,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- The captain failed to initiate a go-around procedure while the aircraft was unstable and not properly aligned,
- Wrong approach configuration,
- Lack of visibility due to poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Lockheed L-188CF Electra in Tegucigalpa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HR-TNL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
San Pedro Sula - Tegucigalpa
MSN:
1134
YOM:
1960
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While approaching Tegucigalpa-Toncontin Airport in poor weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the south slope of Cerro de Hula (1,600 meters high) located 14 km from runway 01 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.